Naomi Watts

Jennifer Coolidge and Naomi Watts talk to ELLE.com about messing around on the set of 'The Watcher', Coolidge's big Emmys night, and roles for older women ...

And like I say, some of the greatest parts I’ve ever played, I got in the last two years. And by the way, that comment was made as like, “This is ridiculous, but this is the theory,” and it was said to me because I came in quite late. And yes, we had this friendship that was there on the page and it was important to me that we were comfortable with each other and everything and we just kind of got to know each other on and off the set. And I don’t like to be boxed in. Not to say that I wasn’t trying; I had been trying to break through for more than a decade, but it wasn’t until I was in my early thirties that I actually managed to get a job where people actually were gonna see this film, and that was Mulholland Drive. I don’t like to be told “these are the rules” too much. Trying to keep up with Jen and then also hold a straight face is not the easiest, but it was fun [laughs]. What was your first day on set together like, and what was it like building that rapport for the show? We definitely went off the page and did some of our own stuff. I grew up in suburbia outside of Boston and it’s the eeriest kind of story ‘cause you realize how vulnerable you can be in an instant. I know Jennifer, your Karen is a little more fictionalized, but Naomi, did you try to get in touch with Maria Broaddus? Watts’ co-star Jennifer Coolidge, however, would opt for a more defensive approach—one that includes “a bunch of rottweilers and pit bulls and german shepherds to surround the house.” The Emmy winner portrays Karen Calhoun, a realtor and old friend of Nora’s who seems to be hiding a secret.

Jennifer Coolidge & Naomi Watts talk about their new Netflix show The Watcher, a wild series from Ryan Murphy based on a chilling true story.

And what's so interesting about the true story of this show, there's been a lot of debate if The Watcher is even real or not. Inspired by the true story of the infamous “Watcher” house in New Jersey. Ominous letters from someone calling themself “The Watcher” are just the beginning as the neighborhood’s sinister secrets come spilling out. I really liked her, and she was always someone I really admired. So you would definitely think "Oh, is it this one? And so we know each other and I really liked Nora. The Watcher also Well, friend question mark, because we see Karen drive by the Brannock house, and it certainly looks like she may be more invested than it seems. Well, you pulled it off in the first episode. And I don't know, don't have their finesse... And so she's just really trying to embrace it. Nora Brannock and her husband Dean (Bobby Canavale) move into their dream home, 657 Boulevard, when they begin to receive letters from someone who dubs themselves The Watcher.